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 Recently, the PDB had the opportunity to interview Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt, author of the widely selling children's book, You Think it's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? Sheri talks about her typical writing day, her writing assignments that include everything from interviewing millionaires to writing a NASCAR track guide, and her passion for children's fiction. She also shares her top marketing secret that is as easy as sending an email.
PDB: Sheri, congratulations on being this month's top author!
SBR: Thanks! It was an honor I wasn’t expecting. ;-)
PDB: Your book, You Think it's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? is obviously getting rave reviews. Please tell us our readers a little more about this book and why you think it is being received so well.
 SBR: It’s about a feisty tooth fairy who doesn’t have wings. Instead, she zips through the night air on a jet-powered surfboard in the shape of a tooth. That was the illustrator’s idea. But I came up with her other techno gadgets, including a wristwatch called a Tooth-o-Finder that hears the ting-ting-ting of newly fallen teeth, and the Spy-o-Binoculars that helps the tooth fairy to plan her entry into each kid’s house. Tooth has sold 10,300 copies since it’s publication last fall. I’m not sure exactly why it’s selling so well, but it’s a given that a big reason is that every kid on the planet loses teeth—which is why I can’t wait for Tooth to be published in other languages! But reviewers have told me they love my tooth fairy’s independent spirit. She’s the first tooth fairy to really promote girl power! And everyone really likes the illustrations. David Slonim did a great job—despite his admitting that he had no idea how to initially draw Tooth! (I helped him out there!)
PDB: I know that Tooth isn't your only children's book, please tell us a little about the others.
 SBR: I’ve written two activity books for readers 9 and up. One focuses on World War II (Great World War II Projects You Can Build Yourself – Nomad Press), the other looks at the accomplishments of the ancient Maya civilization (Amazing Maya Inventions You Can Build Yourself – Nomad Press). I’m very proud of those books, because they contain really good info and are attractively illustrated and laid out. Too, the combination of the info with projects that kids can make, such as a secret message code grill or a burial mask, really helps them to “get” and retain what they’ve read. Maya just won an award from a state press association, but I can’t give out the details until the awards presentation later this month. It’s also in the running for a national press award.
PDB: In a wide switch from your children's offerings, you also helped write and edit Sixty Things to do When You Turn Sixty. Please tell us a little more about that book and how working on that differed from your children's writings.
SBR: I got involved in that project by replying to an email I got from listing my bio with an online writing/editing job board. I agreed to locate 10 noteworthy people who would write an essay about their thoughts on turning sixty, editing them as necessary. I interviewed Jamie Wyeth and wrote up his essay, and even got a billionaire from Buffalo, New York, to write an essay. His was charming. It was about his goal of taking his grandchildren fishing so often that they would be able to readily remember him when he was no longer around. I’m always seeking these types of contributing writing/editing gigs. I’ve helped to write a Ripley’s Believe It or Not! book and a NASCAR track guide. They’ve all been fun and paid well. I’d love to have one of these projects in my back pocket every quarter!
PDB: The most apparent thing about you as a writer is that you write not only on a variety of topics, but throughout a variety of media: books, magazines, newspapers, and more. How do you keep so many projects organized?
SBR: If you’re talking literally, I use file folders. I also use an excel spreadsheet that has the deadline, the payment, my invoice date and number, and payment info once I’ve received the check. It’s a great way to quickly see where I am and who owes me money! HA!
PDB: You must spend the greater part of every day writing. Could you share a typical writing day with us?
SBR: Actually, I spend a good bit of each day marketing. Either looking for work, trying to further the reach of my books, or even updating my website. I NEED to write more. But I should clarify: when I say “write,” I’m talking about producing new fiction. Of course, most days I AM at my computer working on a writing project. In fact, I’ve just finished up three little activity books for boys for a library press: one on pranks and practical jokes, one on class games, and one on simple projects to impress your friends. I know that counts as “writing” to most people, but not to me. I feel the pressure to “write” fiction, now that my tooth fairy picture book is doing so well.
PDB: What are some of the ways you market yourself? How do you get a "buzz" going about your books?
SBR: I totally believe in the power of an email tag line. Mine is about a paragraph long. It gives an overview of my experience, lists my contact info, and slips in a plug for my tooth fairy book. Too, I think a personal website is critical. Mine markets for me 24/7. I’m just beginning to get plugged into the huge Internet community. But it’s obviously paying off. We wouldn’t be doing this interview if I hadn’t!
[Editor's Note: Sheri's email signature is as follows:
Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt
Writing About "Wow!"
www.Bell-Rehwoldt.com
www.4kids.Bell-Rehwoldt.com
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(phone number here)
Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt is an award-winning writer who pens features and profiles of people and places for businesses, websites and publications including American Profile, Family Circle, Go, Ladies' Home Journal, and The Washington Post. She also writes books and reviews. Sheri's new children's picture book, humorously illustrated by David Slonim (www.davidslonim.com): You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy?
"Bell-Rehwoldt's spunky spitfire of a redheaded tooth fairy defies historical conceptions. ... Having been stripped of her dainty, gentle, winged ways, this may not be the tooth fairy for every child. However, others will surely vigorously embrace her gusto." Kirkus Reviews, 9/1/07
(The Polka Dot Banner also recommends that it's members add the Polka Dot Banner address beneath their own!)]
PDB: Please share a little more about your short writing for magazines and newspapers. At any given time, how many pieces do you have "out there" and how much of your writing time do you focus on this aspect?
 SBR: I rarely write for newspapers any more. The pay stinks, and the rights are terrible. I’d like to do more travel writing for newspapers, but most newspapers only accept articles on spec. I’m just not interested in doing that; I’m way over the thrill of seeing my byline anywhere but on a book cover. Before I started writing books three or four years ago, I only wrote newspaper and magazine articles. These days, I write primarily for in-flight and alumni magazines. I hate pitching women’s magazines; maybe that’s because I hate reading women’s magazines! HA!
PDB: Please tell us more about why you became a writer and what one thing made you feel that you had made the transition to professional status?
SBR: The truth is I became a writer because one day my boss said, “You know, Sheri, you write very well.” She said this despite the fact that she was holding yet another press release in which I’d written “it’s” for “its”! It took me forever to learn when NOT to use that darned apostrophe! Now I see it used incorrectly every day! HA! It’s like they say: “You never notice something until it hits your radar.”
Anyway, I wanted to get pregnant, so I thought, “Hmmmm…maybe I can have a baby and work from home, too!” So I quit my job—but did NOT get pregnant. Let’s just say my husband was NOT a happy camper. Now, of course, he loves telling people about my books. But there was a good five years there where I could literally see steam coming out of his ears on a frequent basis. One thing that burned him up was that I spent too long writing for those low-paying newspapers and local magazines. It was only when I jumped to writing for national magazines that he began to regain his sense of humor. You have to understand something, though. My husband is good at EVERYTHING he does, usually even on the first try, so it’s hard for him to “get” that some people need more time to develop a belief in their skills. In the beginning I was so obsessed with “writing well” and “telling a good story” that I would labor for hours over a story lede or nut graph (even though I didn’t even know what those were at the time! HA!). It’s funny how people can see our potential when we don’t see it ourselves. So I give all the credit to my becoming a writer to my nice boss—and my jumping to books to my husband. I still remember the day I sat on his lap and heard myself say, “I’m going to write five books.” I didn’t know what made me say that—but then I had to put my money where my mouth was!
PDB: What is one piece of advice you'd offer to others who want to write in multiple genres or areas.
SBR: Go for it. Dabble to find out what you really like to do. I'm open to all kinds of projects. Some of them I take on just because they put moolah into my wallet. My one piece of advice for any writer is FOCUS. By that I mean turn off your email and the web for at least half of the day. Then use that uninterrupted time to produce something new. If we all did that every day, within a month’s time we’d really have something to show for it!
PDB: Do you have writings goals? What is your loftiest?
SBR: If I had goals, I’d be further ahead! I’ve been hoping God would send Gabriel down with a message, one of those “THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD DO!!!” blasts I can’t miss, you know? But maybe I better be careful what I ask for! What if I didn’t like what he told me to do?! But there are a few things I want to do. I want to hire a songwriter/singer to help me develop a CD of tooth-related (and tooth fairy!) songs that I can sell with my book on my website and at signings. I want to sell two more picture books this year. I want to sell another 10,000 copies of Tooth by this time next year. And I want to hear that my agent has sold my middle grade novel!
PDB: Please add anything else you'd like...
SBR: I just want to thank everyone who has purchased a copy of You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? and a HUGE thanks to Lord & Taylor in New York City, for inviting me to be a guest author at seven of their community Benefit Bashes. At each signing I have been gushed over like I was J.K. herself. It’s not lost on me that this is due to Lord & Taylor handing out complimentary copies of Tooth to shoppers until they run out! But the experience has been such an ego booster. It’s made me want to become the next Mo Willems—if that’s even remotely possible. GABRIEL! BLOW YOUR HORN!
Click Here to visit Sheri's profile to learn more.
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Your tooth fairy book sounds adorable, and I've got four-year old twin grandchildren that it's perfect for. What a creative idea! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your interview.
Sharon